Redskins Change East Landscape

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What the Washington Redskins did over the weekend was a big risk that could pay some pretty big dividends down the road.

What the St. Louis Rams did over the weekend has to be the biggest haul taken in an NFL trade in years, and if they don't become a contender out of this, they're the worst-run franchise in the league.

The Redskins did what many speculated they would by trading for the Rams' No. 2 overall pick in next month's NFL draft, and in doing so, mortgaging a lot of their future for the next few years in hopes that Robert Griffin III is all he's cracked up to be.

The Rams had been actively shopping the No. 2 pick since it became apparent at the NFL combine that Griffin was going to be the second pick in the draft behind position mate Andrew Luck. In fact, some folks are saying Griffin is a better prospect than Luck.

The Rams have who they believe is their quarterback of the future in former Sooner Sam Bradford, so they had no need for the No. 2 pick.

So instead, the Rams moved down a few picks, gave the Redskins the No. 2 pick (and presumably Griffin) along with taking the Redskins' No. 2 pick this year, and then their first-round picks for the next two seasons.

The Redskins obviously think highly of Griffin, as many folks do. But was he worth that? If the Redskins were simply a quarterback away, then yeah, it'd be a no-brainer. The Redskins' risk has changed the landscape of the NFC East, but likely not for a couple of years. The Redskins are still more missing pieces away from being legitimate than just Griffin, but he'll certainly help.